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If You Can’t Wait For Slow Horses Season 5, Here Are 8 TV Shows To Keep You Occupied

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The fifth season of “Slow Horses” is set for release later this year, but in the meantime, other shows similar in style can keep viewers entertained. Based on the “Slough House” book series by Mick Herron, “Slow Horses” revolves around a team of MI5 operatives who work at an office that houses the agency’s errors and castoffs, headed by the gruff and untidy Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman. Despite their initial missteps, these “Slow Horses” show they are not to be underestimated as they become embroiled in significant cases.

As the fifth season of “Slow Horses” unfolds, this captivating series continues to gain both popularity and praise. Immersing viewers in the espionage genre, it offers a wealth of intrigue and suspense that appeals to many. Despite its intense plotlines, there’s an unexpected dose of humor, thanks to Lamb’s witty insults. At the heart of the show is the tale of underdogs rising to the challenge and proving their worth. With its blend of diverse elements, it offers a unique viewing experience for fans. Nevertheless, there are other excellent shows that share similar qualities cherished by “Slow Horses” enthusiasts.

8. Justified (2010-2015)

6 Seasons, 78 Episodes

Justified delves into the criminal underworld of rural Kentucky, offering a stark contrast to the British spy environment portrayed in Slow Horses. However, both series share a similar mood. The lead character in Justified, Raylan Givens, played by Timothy Olyphant, is a U.S. Marshal who embodies a cowboy from the Old West transposed into modern times. His return to his hometown in Kentucky finds him grappling with local villains, among them an old acquaintance turned bank robber, Boyd Crowder (portrayed by Walton Goggins).

The producer of ‘Slow Horses’, Graham Yost, is known for creating ‘Justified’, and the humor in both shows is evidently his signature style. ‘Justified’ had moments of great humor, where Raylan, much like Jackson Lamb, could disarm opponents with clever one-liners. Yet, it maintained a balance by ensuring that the humor didn’t overshadow the gravity of the situations portrayed.

7. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024-)

1 Season, 8 Episodes

Over the years, we’ve seen countless spy films and TV shows. Yet, it’s fascinating when something new like “Slow Horses” emerges, seemingly reinventing the tired genre. The same can be said about “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” a series inspired by the action film of the same name starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Unlike the movie, this series presents a unique narrative. It follows Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as two secret agents pretending to be a married couple to carry out various missions. As their fake relationship evolves into a real one, complications ensue.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith presents a more refined take on the espionage genre, yet it shares Slow Horses’ knack for seamlessly blending humor with action without compromising either. What sets this show apart, though, is its ingenious use of the spy narrative to depict various stages of a romantic relationship – from the initial infatuation to discussions about family, and even through the more challenging times.

6. The Night Agent (2023-)

2 Seasons, 20 Episodes

The character Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) in the thriller series “The Night Agent” makes for an excellent hero due to his underestimated and overlooked nature. Initially assigned to what appears to be a trivial duty of monitoring the White House’s emergency phone line, Sutherland finds himself at the center of a massive conspiracy once he receives an unexpected call.

The Slow Horses refer to agents who are often overlooked and assigned dull tasks, yet they frequently become entangled in situations far beyond their initial roles. Sutherland embodies this archetype of an underdog hero with unwavering resolve, akin to River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) from the Slow Horses series. Yet, Sutherland’s solo heroism throughout the show takes away some of the lighter aspects present in the Slow Horses narrative.

5. Gangs Of London (2020-)

3 Seasons, 25 Episodes

In “Slow Horses,” the wit is undeniably top-notch, but there are numerous shows that convey a similar ambiance without relying on humor. For instance, “Gangs of London” is an engrossing British crime series with an unexpected origin – it’s actually adapted from a video game. Don’t be deceived though; this series is far from light-hearted as it delves into the grim and brutal world of a crime family struggling to maintain control in their city following the demise of their leader. Simultaneously, undercover agent Elliot Finch (played by Sope Dirisu) aims to penetrate the organization.

Lovers of the murky realm of deceit and subterfuge found in ‘Slow Horses’, will discover that the British underworld is equally full of such intrigue. Notably, Dirisu excelled in season 3 of ‘Slow Horses’, portraying Sean Donovan. On a different note, when it comes to action, ‘Gangs of London’ raises the bar significantly. Given that Gareth Evans, creator of ‘The Raid’, is one of its makers, you can expect the fight scenes to be extraordinarily intense.

4. Killing Eve (2018-2022)

4 Seasons, 32 Episodes

Killing Eve delves into a more vibrant aspect of contemporary espionage, featuring captivating characters. The show features Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri, an MI5 analyst who transitions from her monotonous desk job to pursuing a crafty and lethal assassin named Villanelle (Jodie Comer). Yet, as Eve finds excitement in her new line of work, Villanelle develops an intriguing fascination with the one who is chasing her.

Similar to Slow Horses, Killing Eve cleverly employs the conventions of the spy genre but twists them in unexpected ways. This often leads to some wickedly funny moments that fans of Slow Horses will find amusing. Comer delivers a particularly humorous performance as the psychotic assassin. The first two seasons, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the helm as showrunner, are exceptionally gripping and sharp-witted.

3. The Diplomat (2023-)

2 Seasons, 14 Episodes

The Diplomat series adopts Slow Horses’ humorous yet suspenseful underdog style within the spy genre and transforms it into a political thriller narrative. In this show, Keri Russell plays Kate Wyler, a seemingly ordinary diplomat who is unexpectedly promoted to U.S. Ambassador in England amidst global turmoil and conflict. As she grapples with her demanding new role, Kate discovers herself at the heart of a vast conspiracy.

One appealing aspect of Kate as a protagonist is her lack of experience and qualifications for the role she’s been given. Despite this, she must handle the challenging tasks and figure things out as she goes along. The series deals with significant contemporary political situations, but it also offers an unexpected and witty charm that keeps viewers engaged.

2. Black Doves (2024)

1 Season, 6 Episodes

In contrast to her many roles in period pieces, Keira Knightley ventured into contemporary action series titled “Black Doves“. As Helen, a character who leads a secretive life, her double identity is at risk when her partner gets murdered, seemingly with her as the target. Desperate for explanations to prevent further harm to those dear to her, she teams up with agent Sam (Ben Whishaw) to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.

The series “Black Doves” operates more covertly within the realm of espionage compared to “Slow Horses”, and its depiction of violence can be quite intense. However, it’s another outstanding series that offers both humor and excitement. Characters Eleanor and Williams contribute some of the most humorous scenes in the show. It’s also enjoyable to see Knightley return to action roles, demonstrating that this genre remains a perfect fit for her talents.

1. Patriot (2015-2018)

2 Seasons, 18 Episodes

The series titled “Patriot” is another spy drama laced with wit and unexpected characters. Michael Dorman portrays John Tavner, a CIA operative grappling with personal issues, who’s given the challenge of thwarting an Iranian nuclear project. To accomplish this, he disguises himself as an employee at a Milwaukee industrial facility, which leads him to take some extreme measures to preserve his cover and complete his assignment without being exposed.

In the series Slow Horses, characters initially appear as underachievers but end up displaying unexpected competence. Similarly, in Patriot, a spy character receives excessive leniency and consistently creates chaos, yet the show has its share of humor. The humor, however, is often grim, as protagonist John isn’t always a likable figure, performing questionable actions towards individuals who may not deserve such treatment.

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2025-05-03 02:48

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